Irfan Ghatala trained Queen Envied pulled off victory in one of the most absorbing finishes seen in the history of Gr 2 Golconda 1000 Guineas at Malakpet on Sunday. Queen Envied came from the last position at the top of the straight to pinch the verdict in the concluding stride of the race in a four-horse finish. Jockey Anthony Raj whose profile has grown immensely following success in the big races, rode with panache. The three-year-old filly is the joint property of Sans Craintes Stud Farm and Arun Alagappan who is enjoying good success in the classics of late.

Neil Darashah trained Artemis Ignacia was the favourite to win the race if only because of her experience as also because she had lost narrowly in the Fillies Championship Stakes on the same track during the monsoon season. Queen Envied who had recorded a smashing win in July at Bangalore was also well fancied despite running after 119 days. The race developed in such a way it was difficult to identify the winner as four horses flashed past the post locked together, with Queen Envied being the widest in the frame.

Arrowette did the job of the pace-setter followed by Artemis Ignacia, Ballerina, Elusive, Tiger Mountain and Queen Envied. For much of the stretch, the battle was confined to Artemis Ignacia and Ballerina who fought a resolute battle to gain supremacy. Perhaps, the fight early in the straight had a bearing on the result as both seemed to have tired out. Tiger Mountain in the hands of jockey Suraj Narredu galloped strongly in the final furlong along with Queen Envied on the wide outside even as the battling duo in the front were settling the issue among themselves. The complexion of the race changed in the last 10 metres with Queen Envied getting the nod by a neck from Tiger Mountain with Artemis Ignacia a short head behind. Ballerina was in the fourth slot another head behind.

Hilton Sequeira trained She Can won the 1200 metres Dodla Pratap Chander Reddy Memorial Million, a race for two-year-olds, the other highlight of the day. After Hemping Vazra led well into the straight, Akshay Kumar pushed She Can to take charge. The daughter of Win Legend asserted her supremacy by the final furlong and won with comfort from High Command who covered ground along the rails. Rising Tycoon was third. Fancied Armoury lost pace early in the straight and went out of the reckoning.

Leo D`Silva trained Ahyr regained the winning form after two unplaced efforts in the 1200 metres K R Arvind Reddy Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Ayr tracked Exotic Dancer into the straight and then spurted ahead to establish what turned out to be a winning lead. Ayr were perceptibly slowing down but the lead helped. Favourite Kancha came home with a big rush only to find the front-runner escape to victory. The other strongly favoured runner Nugget was another neck behind with a late rally.

Long shot Calista Girl from the stables of trainer Ravinder Singh won the 1200 metres Zurbaran Plate, a race for maiden two-year-olds. Calista Girl showed a lot of speed to lead by many lengths from the start with on-money favourite Windsor in the chase. Calista kicked on merrily in front and also produced something extra under pressure even as Windsor finished on strongly but fell short. Lucky Zone too ran on well to be a suggestive third.

Akshay Kumar made his move rather early on favourite NRI Superpower in the 2000 metres Haridwar Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65 and managed to get the filly to stave off the late challenge of Yesterday and Just Incredible. After Dream Station led the field into the straight, NRI Superpower moved swiftly to take over the running on the outside of the pace-setter and stormed ahead. Yesterday who had won last time out over a mile and half trip took time to warm up but nevertheless produced a strong effort along with Just Incredible who flew home. However, NRI Superpower safely went past the post ahead of Yesterday who nosed out Just Incredible to retain the runner-up berth.

Laxman Singh trained Barbet had no problem in justifying favouritism in the hands of B Nikhil in the 1200 metres Ardent Knight Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Barbet charged ahead from a handy third position down the final furlong and spurted beyond the reach of the rest. Thanks made a futile bid to catch up with the favourite but had to settle for the second slot ahead of Silk. Mukesh Kumar drove out lesser fancied Bellagio aggressively to get the measure of favourite Crimson Rose in the dying moments of the race in the lower division of the race. Burgundy Black was third.

Hoping Cloud from the stables of trainer Jasbir Singh justified the strong favouritism swamping the opposition in the 1600 metres Air Command Cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Jockey Mohit Singh pushed Hoping Cloud along the narrow opening on the outside of the front-running Amalfitana with two furlongs left in the race. Hoping Cloud stretched out well for an impressive repeat win over Starwalt and City Cruise by completely outclassing the field.